What is Complying Development?

Complying development is a faster approval process, while ensuring stringent planning and environmental requirements are met through a set of prescribed approval conditions.

A Complying Development Certificate can only be issued if the proposed development complies with the specific requirements and criteria for complying development outlined in State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008, State Environmental Planning Policy (Affordable Rental Housing) 2009, and/or State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007 and also, the proposal needs to comply with the National Construction Code  (BCA) and the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979;

Some categories of work that are complying development:

• construction of a new dwelling
• alterations and additions to an existing dwelling
• construction of a secondary dwelling
• demolition of a building
• small retail and commercial development
• internal alterations (fit-outs) of commercial buildings
• fit-out of a food shop
• street awnings and business signs.

(Please note: An approval under the Roads Act and section 68 of the Local Government Act is also required for street awnings and business signs.)

Information you will need to submit with a Complying Development Certificate application:

• Detail of the work proposed;
• Plans detailing the work proposed (including a site plan, elevations, floor plans, parking arrangements, loading facilities, ground levels to be modified and drainage information);
• Specifications for the work proposed;
• Demolition plan (where necessary); and
• Existing and proposed fire safety measures (for the change of use of a commercial building)

Council's Complying Development Application Checklist can be found on this page under the 'Building-related applications' heading.

Neighbour consultation for complying development

To encourage greater communication between complying development applicants and their neighbours, the State Government has introduced mandatory notification requirements, if you use the complying development system to carry out works on your property in residential zones.

Assessment timeframes for Complying Development Certificates

Prior to assessing and/or issuing a Complying Development Certificate, a Council Building Surveyor will need to conduct a site inspection. This site inspection is to verify that no works has commenced relating to the application.

Most Complying Development Certificate applications can be assessed within ten (10) days. Surrounding neighbours may be notified about development in residential zones before a certificate can be issued, and therefore these applications may take longer to assess.

Complying Development Certificate fees

Please refer to Council's Fees and Charges.

Complying Development application/checklist forms

Forms can be found on this page under the 'Building-related applications' heading.